The Portiuncula, located in the Diocese of Steubenville, is home to the Franciscan Lay Apostolate. We are humbly committed to imitating the Gospel life of Christ, and observing the Sacraments. Placing ourselves under strict and holy obedience to Bishop Jeffrey Monforton of Steubenville, and the Magisterium, we follow the Medieval Penitential First Rule of the Third Order of St. Francis, dated 1221 A.D. Our mission is to preach Repentance and Penance to all God's people.

About Me

Servant General of the F.L.A. (Franciscan Lay Apostolate); Hermitage Scullion; Former Radio Talk Show Host; Writer; Public Speaker; Former Staff Member of United States Senator Dan Coats; Retired Infantry Major: served with U.S. Army Intelligence in Vietnam and Europe; Wife: Karen (married 42 years), 5 children, 8 grandchildren ...
To request your special intentions to be offered up before our Eucharistic Lord in intercessory prayer, please e-mail your Prayer Intentions to the Portiuncula Hermitage at: hermitage@parallax.ws

Monday, September 25, 2006

Poverty is an extraordinary way of salvation, since it nourishes humility, the root of perfection. Its fruits are manifold, though hidden. This is the Gospel treasure hidden in the field. To buy it we have to sell everything, and what we cannot sell, we should consider worthless in comparison to the treasure.

2 comments:

Well, in thinking how to apply this to my particular station in life:the material...Poverty would mean living in simplicity. Purchasing only what I need. Sharing. Remembering the needy.

the spiritual...poverty of spirit/humility. Total dependence upon God in both the material and spiritual areas of my life.Totally sold out for God and the Kingdom within! "Not my own...bought with a price" as st Paul said.

Even for those who balk at the idea of poverty, these "other" people can just consider how much less clutter they can survive on. Forgo a brandnew car or refridgerator, and give to others less fortunate.

As for Cheryl's comment about spiritual poverty, I thought that in materialistic poverty we are reliant on God, but in spiritual poverty it is when we are unable to see how God lifts us & sustains us; keeps our very lives.

Of course, dependence on God is the goal, and reality, that we all attempt to achieve.